Brentford’s European hopes dealt blow by Wolves comeback
Brentford 2
Kayode (22′)
Thiago (37′)
Wolves 2Armstrong (44′)
Arokodare (77′)
Brentford suffered a setback in their quest for European football next season as bottom side Wolves came back from two down to draw.
The Bees went ahead during the first half, courtesy of a goal from Michael Kayode – his first for the club – and another from Igor Thiago.
Wolves, though, responded impressively. Adam Armstrong netted just before half-time and substitute Tolu Arokodare equalised to frustrate Brentford, remain seventh in the table.
Brentford were looking to grab a first home win in all competitions since 7 January, as well as atoning for the disappointment of last week’s elimination from the FA Cup at West Ham.
Keith Andrews’ side started brightly – and they were rewarded by going ahead in the 22nd minute.
From a cross on the left by Keane Lewis-Potter, the unmarked Kayode slipped into position six yards out to flash a header past Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa.
Thiago, who has just been called into the Brazil national squad, doubled the lead for Brentford after 37 minutes.
A sweeping move saw Dango Ouattara supply a low assist across the danger area, and the striker had the easiest of tasks to slip the ball into an empty net.
Thiago almost made it three, with a glancing header which clipped the woodwork, as Wolves continued to look vulnerable at the back.
However, Armstrong pulled a goal back in style two minutes before half-time. Fastening onto a through ball by Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, the striker fired an unstoppable shot past Brentford keeper Caoimhin Kelleher into the roof of the net.
Wolves began the second half positively and, taking advantage of defensive inattention from the hosts, Armstrong missed a good chance to level when he side-footed the ball against the post from an inviting position.
The Bees laboured for the majority of the second half, as Wolves looked the more enterprising. And Brentford midfielder Mikkel Damsgaard also suffered a knock before being substituted.
Arokodare equalised in the 77th minute. The forward nipped in at the far post to head home after the Brentford rearguard failed to deal with a dangerous cross by Joao Gomes.
Arokodare also hit the post late on as the visitors sought what would have been a dramatic winner.
Brentford: Kelleher, Lewis-Potter, Collins, Van den Berg, Kayode, Jensen, Henderson, Schade (Yarmoliuk 68), Damsgaard (Ajer 71), Ouattara (Nelson 85), Thiago
